Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth, the Labyrinth, or any of its inhabitants. I do own anything/ anyone/ anyplace that I created in this fanfic… which I also own… XP nah!
Summary: War is brewing in the Underground and it seems as though Sarah's favorite Goblin King is in the center of it. Alliances are being formed quickly but also broken just as fast. Tension rises in the continuation of Heal Me, Hurt Me!
Warning: Jareth is totally out of character. So is Sarah.
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Last Time:
"Speaking of Sarah, I've been invited to one of Kira's random 'let's get together and eat and dance' balls. Would you be so wonderful as it accompany me?"
Clarica sighed. "As long as you keep her distracted should she head my way."
"Damn," he sighed. "I had hoped you'd be the one to do that for me!"
"Not a chance buddy! That your side of the deal. I'm here to keep the girls from getting to you, you'll be there to keep one girl from getting to me!"
Honou theatrically sighed. "Very well." Standing before her door, he bowed politely. "Good night dear Clarica."
She curtsied. "Good night Lord Honou. See you in the morning."
"I'll be waiting." He waved as he walked down the hall and Clarica slipped inside and leaned back against the door with a heavy sigh. Why didn't I just follow the plan? she moaned in her mind, sliding to the ground. Another few weeks of complete hell. Way to go Rica.
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Heal Me, Hurt Me – Part II
By: Kadasa Mori
Chapter 15 (March 14th)
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"Jason!" The amber eyed man had no time to recover from the sudden arms around his neck as he fell forward. Luckily someone grabbed him before his face met the stone floor. He looked up and thanked Toroku who nodded once, then looked over his shoulder and found and grinning brunette.
"Afternoon Sarah!" he chirped. "How goes it?"
She pouted. "I've had to suffer FIVE days without you, Kira, Clarica or Trella! It's been soooooo boring!" Toroku cleared his throat and she rolled her eyes. "What I meant was Toroku was here." She waved her hand, a small black flag on a toothpick appearing there. "Yay," she deadpanned, waving the flag. The raven scowled at her and Jason laughed, tossing an arm around her shoulders.
"So what mischief should we cause today?"
"Well, I was thinking that we could possibly-"
"No, Sarah. No thinking for you today." All three turned to find Jareth and Daederath making their way towards them.
Sarah grinned brilliantly. "Why not dearest? I've got some plans that would liven this place up a bit."
"This place doesn't need livening up," Daederath answered, crossing his arm irritably.
"You're the walking dead," Sarah said. "You don't get a vote."
The vampire scowled and Jason laughed. "Come on Sarah. Let's just go get some ice cream."
"Okay! Bye Toroku!" He waved and Jareth scowled. "Bye Daederath!" He nodded and Jareth's scowled deepened. Sarah laughed. "Stop pouting Jareth. I'll see you later!"
Jason glanced back as she dragged him towards the kitchen and Jareth sent him a grateful nod. He winked and followed after the emerald eyed mortal-turned-fae. She turned the corner and let out a yelp as she ran into someone. Jason grabbed her before she could fall and looked up, smile dropping instantly as he locked eyes with a familiar strawberry blond.
Kara shifted uneasily and rubbed her arm, looking away. "Afternoon Kara," Sarah said.
"Hi Sarah."
Sarah must've remembered who was behind her and waved. "See ya later!" She dragged Jason down the hall. Once out of range, she glanced back at him. He spotted it and smiled. "You okay?"
"Fine, just… coping." She wrapped her arms around his waist, making it rather difficult to walk but he didn't object.
"Sarah! Jason!" Both turned and found Kira running their way. "Run!" she shouted as she passed them.
"Run?" Sarah asked then paled as the chef ran after Kira literally breathing flames, his shiny sharp butcher knife of death waving in the air. Sarah screamed and tore after the blond, Jason on her heels.
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Sarah had been ecstatic when she found out Clarica was attending the ball. She'd nearly broken all of the green haired girl's ribs when she found her and they'd spent two hours chatting about nonsense, mostly what they'd been eating, who they'd been tormenting and what their favorite books where until Kira forced them to get ready for the ball. Now they stood in the ballroom, Sarah glowering at the floor, Clarica's eyes glazed over as they listened to someone drone on and on.
Luckily that man had been replaced with Jason who happily informed them all that he was learning Elvish from one of the visiting nobles and he proudly recited what he'd already learned. Samra and Venus choked, both women staring at him and waiting for the punch line but when he merely looked confused, Samra cleared her throat. "Jason, darling, you just said a wild pink elephant was gnawing on your spleen." He scowled and shouted at the elf who smirked at him and turned back to their audience.
"Good evening all," Ryuu said as he reached their group. When someone choked, everyone turned to Jareth who looked away innocently. Sarah snickered and was elbowed for it. Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "Did I say something funny?" he asked.
Kira shrugged. "They've been laughing about something for the past few days. It's not just you."
But they were still confused as to why Sarah chomping her teeth towards Jareth nearly sent the normally stoically-smirking man into hysterics.
The blond fae had forced himself to go talk with other people because he couldn't look Ryuu in the eyes without laughing. Sarah regretted the joke because she now stood on the sidelines. She sighed heavily, fingering the edges of her gown. She hated being at these things with everyone dancing and her just… standing there. Jareth had been captured by evil princess Ruby who was hanging off him and flirting far too much. By all girlfriend rights, she should have pummeled the girl into a million pieces. The only thing that kept her from doing so was the knowledge that Jareth might not enjoy having a new enemy to face. She sighed again and jumped when a hand grabbed her arm. "Jason!" she growled at the person tugging her towards the dancers. "What are you doing?!"
He grinned wickedly at her, putting one of her hands on his shoulder, one of his hands at her waist and holding her other hand, pulling her into the fast moving dancers. "Dancing!"
She rolled her eyes. "I know that. I meant why are you dragging me into it as well?"
"I'm rescuing you from boredom."
"Ah. Well thanks lots."
"No prob. I'm saving Jareth as well… in about… five… four… three… two… one…" He turned. "Goblin King? May I ask we switch partners? This one keeps stepping on me."
Jareth let out a silent sigh of relief as Ruby glared at Sarah who was shoved into his chest, Ruby pulled towards Jason who swept her back into the mass of people, Jareth pulling Sarah in the opposite way.
"Thank goddess for Jason," Jareth whispered under his breath. Sarah giggled.
Jason smiled at the brown haired girl he was dancing with. "So Lady Ruby, how are you?"
She scowled at him. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing."
He blinked. "Oh?"
"I know that you just wanted to dance with me. That girl dances fine. You should probably know that I'm saving all of my dances for the Goblin King!"
"Pardon?" They both turned and Jason's eyes widened as he spotted Kara standing there, looking bored. "I've been recruited to dance."
"Thank the goddess!" Ruby hissed and tore away from Jason stomping off angrily.
"Bye Ruby!" Jason waved after her then turned to Kara. "Recruited?" he asked, holding his hands out. She grabbed one hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder.
"Kira ordered me to go dance instead of getting drunk and skipping it all."
He grinned falsely. "And you chose me?! Oh! And I thought you didn't care!!!" She rolled her eyes, spinning in tune with the music with him around the dance floor as a new song started up. It was a slow song and he paused before slowly pulling her in. He heard her sigh beside his right ear as they moved with the crowd.
"I suppose we'll have to allow a short pause in our earlier arrangement for this then," Kara murmured.
"I suppose…"
"Jason… how much of the truth do you leave out?"
He blinked then sighed. "It's not something I'd like to talk about here Kara."
"Well you're gonna have to tell me sometime." She moved to pull away but he pulled her tighter.
"I… I leave out the stuff I know will hurt you…"
"That's a load of-"
"No. I do. My lands aren't all fun and joy Kara and I don't want you do know what really goes on within them. I have to handle a lot of renewed lives from the terror they lived in before and I don't think you'd want all the details so I have to keep smiling to keep people from worrying."
"Oh… are… they bad?"
"Worse than you can imagine… even Jareth has a hard time stomaching some… If I didn't smile all the time I believe I would probably have to consider suicide from all the things I've seen." He felt her swallow against his shoulder. "Kara… why do you think my lands are called the Realm of the Sun?"
"Because it's always sunny?"
He snorted. "That's what everyone thinks. The Sun is the symbol for healing, optimism and warmth. It brings the dawn of a new day, constantly renewing that which was dark and cold and alone. My lands are a place of healing, for those that are unable to forget their previous lives, those that can't become goblins and just forget. That is why I don't tell you everything Kara. I don't want you to know because I know you can't forget."
Silence reigned the rest of the song.
Just as the song was beginning to end, she sighed. "You know… Kira didn't really recruit me…"
"Really? So you came just because you wanted to?" He gasped, trying very hard to keep up the act for the people around him who probably weren't even listening. "Or were you jealous?!"
She snorted. "You think I was jealous?"
He pouted. "Of course!"
"Well… I suppose I was." He froze, staring at her. "Night Jason." She turned on her heel and disappeared.
He blinked after her. "The hell…?"
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Sarah stared blankly at the woman who was speaking, focusing more on the fact that her lips moved oddly when she spoke rather than what she was speaking about. "Sarah?" A voice dragged her from her examination and she found Clarica standing there. "May I speak with you?"
Sarah nodded in concern, excusing herself from the conversation she was in and following the girl into the hall. "What's wrong?"
"I er…" She looked back at the doors to the party then at Sarah. "I think I'm falling for Honou!"
Sarah jolted then grinned. "That's fabulous!"
"No! It's not!"
"It's… not?"
"No!" She sat down heavily in the window. "He just needed me to stay for a few weeks! And I need to stay here for Mira! And… and you need me! And… this entire togetherness thing was fake!"
"Rica…" Sarah knelt in front of her. "Have you talked to him?"
"What good will it do?! He's a lord! I'm just a servant! A silly maid…" She sighed heavily, tears brimming her eyes. "I'm no princess Sarah…"
"Maybe he doesn't want a princess Rica." She tapped her chin. "Come on. You're better than any princess out there. You were my first friend down here and that says a lot. You have to be a very good person to be my friend."
Clarica rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thanks Sarah."
"No problem." She stood and held out a hand, a piece of cloth appearing. "Now clean yourself up, take a deep breath and come back inside when you're ready. Kay?" Clarica nodded. "Good. I've gotta go play with the other ladies." She rolled her eyes. "If you need me, come and get me." Another nod. Sarah smiled and slipped back inside. Clarica wiped at her eyes then set the cloth down on her lap and sighed heavily.
"Clarica?" She looked up and sat straighter as Honou walked towards her with a frown. "Hey. What's up?"
"Huh?" she asked in confusion.
"Sarah said you were upset. What's wrong?" He took a seat beside her as she mentally cursed out the girl.
(Inside the ballroom)
"And I-" Sarah stopped dead, eyes going blank. Jareth raised an eyebrow then flicked her arm. She jumped and looked confused, before grinning widely. "Never mind me. I've just got a feeling my plan's working. Where was I?"
"Explaining what the plan was."
"No. I'm pretty sure I was telling you what I ate for dinner the other night."
Jareth rolled his eyes. "Very well. Proceed."
"So then I…"
(Back outside)
"I'm fine Honou," Clarica said. "Just a little weary of these get togethers. Dancing and socializing isn't really my thing."
He smiled and rested his elbows on his knees. "Me neither. Phoenixes like to preen their feathers but they dislike preening with anyone other than phoenixes."
Clarica smiled. "What about mortal-turned-fae?"
"You mean Sarah?" he asked in confusion.
She smacked his arm. "Me!"
He laughed. "I know it was you! I was just kidding!" He leaned back against the window and studied her for minute. She blushed under his scrutiny. "I suppose… some allowances may be made for mortal-turned-fae… then again…" He leaned closer and twirled a loose lock of hair. "I don't believe you're fae, are you?"
She shrugged, trying to control her breathing. "Maybe not. My mum… adopted mum, believes I'm a changling but I've yet to meet another changling who can't actually… change."
"Hm… well. For now you're just you." He winked. "And special kind of you who is allowed to listen to a phoenix preen."
She rolled her eyes. "Lucky me," she said dryly.
He laughed and stood, holding out a hand. "Shall we reenter hell?"
"Only if you're going with me," she replied and took his hand, hooking it around his arm and following him back into the room. She shot Sarah a dark glare when she spotted the brunette but only received a cheeky grin in return. Jareth just looked confused.
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Making his way to his room, Jason let out a wide yawn. After Kara had left, Kira had dragged him onto the floor and began a dance war between her side (including him, her and Evie) and the opposing side (which consisted of Sarah, Clarica and Trella). They'd gone through the Chicken Dance, the Electric Slide, various songs which including clapping, hopping and 'cha-cha'ing. That and dealing with Kara had left him exhausted.
"Jason." He glanced back and found Kara leaning against her doorframe. "Hey."
He frowned slightly. "Hello."
She fidgeted. "I'm…" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
He raised an eyebrow. "You're what?"
"I'm sorry I smacked you." His eyes widened. "And I'm sorry I called you a liar."
He smiled faintly. "No worries."
"Yes worries. I was wrong and I shouldn't have smacked you or called you a liar or tried so hard to get you to tell me. I… I just want to be part of it, ya know?" He cocked his head in confusion. "You're all part of the council. Kira, Jareth and you. You all know what's going on and Jareth knows everything and Kira knows about everyone and you… well you're friends with everyone. Sarah's the Sarah Williams and I… I just feel left out. I feel like no one wants me to be a part of it all sometimes."
"When the time comes you'll wish you weren't," he informed her as he walked back over.
"I know… I just wish that time were now." She shook herself. "But enough of me. I apologize for all of my wrongdoings that occurred the other day and most recently."
"Apology accepted." He held out his hand. "Truce?" She smiled and nodded, shaking it.
"Truce."
"Good night then Kara." He turned to walk away.
"Oh. Jason?" He glanced back at her. She held out her hands, a small box sitting in them. "Happy Birthday." His eyes widened then he gave her a slight smile. "Thank you Kara."
"Hm."
"I'm surprised you remember it," he commented as he carefully opened it. "Not even Jareth remembered."
"That's because you never tell anyone," she said dryly.
He hooked his fingers around the thin gold chain and lifted it up. There was a sun charm, slightly larger than a quarter dangling from the end in the blue color of the perfect sunny sky. He smiled faintly. "Thanks."
She leaned back into her room and grabbed something off the table, holding it up. It had a silver chain with a crescent moon charm dangling from the end in the same color. "I'll wear this one. If you ever need me, just call me using yours and I'll be there as quick as I can."
He stared at the sun then turned to her. "Can it work the other way?"
She nodded. "If I need you, I'll call."
"Good… thank you Kara."
"You're welcome."
"Good night."
"Night."
He turned and started walking back to his room, pulling the necklace over his head. As soon as it tapped his chest it suddenly grew warm. He looked down at it glowing then turned and looked back at her. She motioned for him to come back. He sighed and walked back. "Yes?"
She held out her arms. "Don't I get a hug?" He hugged her tightly then froze, spotting her boyfriend turning the corner. She gave him a questioning look as he pulled away quickly then looked behind her. "Oh. Joshua, come here."
He walked over, eyes flickering to Jason's chest. "Ah. You gave it to him?"
"Yup. Jason, meet Joshua. He's the man I've been plotting with to create your necklace." Jason blinked in confusion. Kara turned to Joshua. "I believe Jason, and the rest of my family, have been under the assumption that you were my boyfriend."
Jason stopped. His brain stopped. Heart stopped. Everything just kinda froze as his entire being screamed, 'what?!'
Joshua was laughing. "It's because you didn't introduce me correctly Kara. Sneaking around and planning stuff while no one was looking automatically means secret boyfriend. Didn't you know that?"
"Well of course I did. It's not my fault if nosy people assume something."
"Wait… what?!" Jason squeaked.
Joshua laughed and Kara rolled her eyes. "Good night you two. My alcoholic intake is affecting my head." She shut the door and Jason blinked. Joshua laughed again and took his arm, leading him down the hall.
"Sorry about tricking you mate," he said smoothly. "She told me not to say anything. Said she 'wanted to pull one over everyone for once.'"
Jason snorted. "Sounds like Kara."
"She's a great gal." Jason glanced at him uneasily. The man smiled and held up a hand, a golden band around his finger glinting. "I'm married. No worries."
Jason let out a sigh of relief and comically wiped at his forehead. "Phew!"
Joshua laughed again and patted his shoulder. "But seriously, good luck man." He winked. "She's got a temper. Took nearly seven tries to get the right color." Jason cocked an eyebrow and Joshua tapped the necklace still dangling around his neck. "Kept telling me I was getting the color wrong, that it had to be the perfect shade of blue… oh how did she put it… like the shade of the sky on a perfect day I think she said."
"Really?" Jason asked, holding the necklace up and looking at it.
"Yeah." Joshua rolled his eyes. "Goddess above I was ready to kill her. 'No that's not the right color. It has to be lighter. No that's too light, a little darker.'"
Jason laughed. "Definitely sounds like Kara."
Joshua smiled and held out a hand. "Happy birthday." Jason shook it and said his thanks. "See ya." The other man walked off and Jason held up the necklace for examination once more.
"Jaaaaaaaay-suuuuuuuuuun!" He turned and found Jareth dragging a very drunk Sarah down the hall. The blond fae did not look happy. "JAY-SUN! Jay-sun I had loooooooooots to drink!" She giggled.
Jason grinned at Jareth who looked ready to bite her head off. "Why don't you just apparate to her room?"
"Because I'm not sure what it would do to her head and I'd rather not have her puke on me." His eyes flickered to his chest. "Where'd you get that?"
Jason shrugged. "Found it."
"Hm… Happy birthday by the way."
He blinked in surprise. "You remembered?"
He was given a dull look in surprise. "We've been friends for how long now? I just didn't want this one to find out." He motioned to the brunette who was singing about tuna fish.
"Thanks for that," Jason replied. "I didn't want anyone to make a fuss over it."
"AND I LOVE TUNA!" Jareth growled at her and Jason burst into laughter.
"Good night you two," he commented happily, waving as Jareth sent him a 'don't leave me alone with her!' look and Sarah waved happily.
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The next day, humming to herself and trying to ignore the throbbing in her brain, Sarah made her way to the barn. She spotted a familiar body laying in the field holding something at arm's length towards the sky.
"Jason?" she called.
He glanced over and smiled. "Hey Sarah. What's up?"
"Nothing. My head hurts."
"It's to be expected when one drinks so much," he commented with a wide grin.
"Hmmm. What have you got?"
He showed her the necklace. "I found it. Isn't it pretty?"
"Very. It matches the sky."
He laughed, holding it up once more to see it blend with the surrounding sky. "That is does. Perfectly."
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To all Heal Me, Hurt Me Readers and Reviewers,
Star Trek on the brain does not make it easy to write Labyrinth fanfic.
Oh, and despite being the writer, "You're the walking dead. You don't get a vote." makes me giggle every time I read it. I'm so very proud of myself for coming up with that.
See Star Trek. It's awesome.
Kadasa Mori
Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 16
"Sarah?" She glanced up from reading to find Jareth walking over with a few papers. "Would you do me an invaluable service?"
She sighed and straightened her book. "I will not sing for you Jareth. You know I'm horrible at it."
He blinked and just stared at her. "Wha…" He shook his head. "No you idiot. I wanted to know if you could run these to Kira?"
"Why?" she asked dryly. "Can't you just… 'poof' them over?"
He rolled his eyes. "Just bring the damn papers to my sister please."
She sighed and bookmarked her page, tossing the book on the table. "Only cause you said please."
"Oh thank you my lady," he said sarcastically.